This programme provides the benefits of living labs and test beds to entrepreneurs, so they can develop market-ready products with high added value and a high probability of success.
Living labs and test beds are open innovation ecosystems where stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and patients, cooperate on solutions to healthcare challenges. Living labs support the innovation process throughout the different phases of the value chain, including ideation, co-creation, validation and scale-up.
The programme seeks the involvement of start-ups and also encourages living labs and test beds to join the network.
Is it for me?
The programme is open to any European start-up, SME, entrepreneur or innovation project that aims to improve their product by validating, co-creating and ideating with the end-user in a real-life environment.
All organisations seeking to try out, or improve, their products are invited to work with the EIT Health Living Labs Network. It has a wide geographic coverage throughout Europe and wide coverage of thematic areas such as medtech, digital health, biotech, allowing a diverse group of organisations to benefit from the network across Europe.
Options to participate:
Applications are open all year long, and applicant start-ups are distinguished in two categories:
- Start-ups with their own funds: If you indicate in the application that you have your own funds or other EIT Health grants (such as Headstart or Bridgehead) you will have direct access to the Living Lab and Test Beds services without going through evaluation process. Start-ups with their own funding will still be eligible in the competition for vouchers for services. To apply with your own funds, click here.
- Start-ups requesting vouchers: If you are a start-up that does not have your own funds and require financial support to accelerate your innovations, you can to apply through the Living Labs and Test Beds programme for 13 vouchers of €7,500 each (seven vouchers in the first call and six vouchers in the second call), and are awarded in two waves per year.
Eligibility and financial support
All start-ups and SMEs applying in Living Labs and Test Beds project will be considered eligible for €7,500 vouchers that they can use for support of the programme if:
- they submit an application in English;
- the application is complete;
- they are not a previously selected Living Labs and Test Beds candidate;
- the company is registered, ideally before 2018;
- their registration certificate is uploaded;
- they are operating within the EU;
- they did not receive more than €50,000 from other EIT Health funds during the current year.
Co-Funding: In order to see commitment from our applicants, we require projects to provide co-funding of 33.33% (€2,500) of the grant amount requested from EIT Health. Co-funding includes applicants’ own financial resources to cover part of the planned total project costs. These costs are directly linked to the LL&TB activities and are an integral part of the planned project budget, and should be at least €10,000.
The process
- Application via Optimy: European start-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurs interested in utilising the services of EIT Health Living Lab and Test Bed Network can apply via the EIT Health application platform, hosted by Optimy.
- Analysis of applications and needs: The applications will be evaluated by the group of experts from the project consortium who will assess the needs of start-ups and will invite the applicants to the EIT Health accelerator platform (Chronus). Using this platform, applicants can identify three potential living labs or test beds matching their needs and interests and inform the project coordinators about the selection.
- Matchmaking and contact: In this phase, the project management team will do the matchmaking and establish a connection between the start-up and the most suitable living lab, where they can agree upon, define and organise the specific services needed by the start-up and the budget required for it.
- Follow up: Both the living lab or test bed and the start-up will be monitored by the consortium’s experts, who will accompany the process. They will also gather information to evaluate the proper functioning of the programme and make necessary improvements.
Important dates 2020:
There is no deadline for start-ups that would like to apply for services with their own funds or with other EIT Health grants. For start-ups requesting vouchers, the following dates are important:
- Deadline of first wave: 30 March 2020 23:59 CET
- Second wave: 31 March 2020 to 15 June 2020 23:59 CET
- Communication of results of the first wave: Second week of May 2020
- Communication of results of the second wave: First week of July 2020
- Project grant agreements signatures: Maximum one months since the communication of each wave resolution
Start-ups have one calendar year (12 months) from the time the sub-granting agreement and the service agreement are signed by the start-up and the EIT Health and the start-up and Living Lab/Test Bed, respectively, for its execution. The duration of the services may last two months at the minimum.
Start-ups click here to apply.
Information for living labs and test beds
To join the EIT Health Living Labs and Test Beds Network and offer your services:
- Follow this link to create a Chronus profile. (Open all year long.)
- Press the “Join Now” button, fill in the form and accept the Code of Conduct.
- Once step 2 is completed, administrators will review the application.
- If the application is accepted, you are already part of the network!
Keep in mind that an attractive, complete and active Chronus profile on the platform is very important when start-ups make the choice about where to accelerate their innovations!
A video about the EIT Health Living Labs network
External partner
Partners

CLC/InnoStars: Belgium-Netherlands
Partner classification: Education, Research
Partner type: Core Partner
TU Delft is the largest technical university in the Netherlands and covers practically the entire spectrum of engineering sciences. An important characteristic of TU Delft is that we not only strive to be good at what we do, but also that we want to be good for something. At Delft University of Technology, we aim for a balance between pursuing world-class academic excellence, providing high quality education and developing expert solutions for societal challenges. Also key at TU Delft is the integration of research, education and innovation. Technical-scientific knowledge is a breeding ground for our education and innovation. Conversely, the interaction with students, companies and societal partners leads to new and unexpected research questions. Research, education and innovation inspire each other.
Our vision: Delft University of Technology contributes to solving global challenges by educating new generations of socially responsible engineers and expanding the frontiers of the engineering sciences.
Our misson
• We perform world-class research by combining science, engineering and design in a socially responsible manner. Thus, we advance and share the benefits of technology.
• We develop and enhance the expertise of tomorrow’s engineering leaders and educate professional, high-level and responsible engineers throughout their careers.
• We help to develop and deliver technology-driven, innovative solutions to societal problems through collaborations with leading national and international partners whilst being firmly rooted in Delft.
• We continuously improve our collective effectiveness, performance and organisational resilience through the principles and practice of professionalism, collaboration and openness.
Delft University of Technology - TU Delft
Delft University of Technology - TU Delft , Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD Delft, Netherlands
Key Activities in Research and Developement
Medical Imaging, Medical Visualization, Quantitative Medical Imaging, Developing better imaging systems, Cure and Care, Advances in minimally invasive surgery, Biomechatronics and BioRobotics, Designing Health, Targeted Molecular Therapy, Innovation in radiation for health, Nanoscale biophysics, Biocatalysis.
Others areas of interest: Positive Health (Lifestyle & Prevention), Design methods, eHealth and mHealth, VR, AR and serious gaming, Artificial Intelligence


CLC/InnoStars: Belgium-Netherlands
Partner classification: Business
Partner type: Core Partner
IMEC - Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre
IMEC - Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgien
Key Activities in Corporate Innovation
Med Tech, ICT, Diagnostics, Consumer products
Key Activities in Business Creation
Technology Transfer, Testing & Validation


CLC/InnoStars: Spain
Partner classification: Research
Partner type: Core Partner
LEITAT is a Spanish Technological Center specialized in production technologies, developing R&D activities in the areas of biomedicine, biotechnologies, environment, surface treatments, material science, engineering, nanotechnology and renewable energies with deep knowledge and experience in tech-transfer to several industrial sectors. Areas of specialization: Oncology, nanotechnology, medtech, preclinical models, toxicology, microbioma, Additive Manufacturing, Healthcare Living Lab.


CLC/InnoStars: France
Partner classification: Research, Tech Transfer, Clusters, Other NGOs
Partner type: Associate Partner
MADoPA is a Living Lab specialising in co-creation, experimentation and evaluation of technologies and services for the elderly. MADoPA is a non profit association created in 2009, financially independent and involved in multiple European, national and regional projects.
MADoPA
MADoPA, 2 Rue Gustave Eiffel, 10430 Rosières-prés-Troyes, France


CLC/InnoStars: Spain
Partner classification: Education, Research
Partner type: Core Partner
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid health activities cover a wide variety of topics, being the Biotech initiative its flagship: a stable interdisciplinar environment grouping UPM research groups with high expertise and qualified infrastructure to address major challenges in Biomedicine and Health. With special focus in ICT for health, UPM has capabilities and R&D results in all EIT Health areas in order to transfer advanced ICT and Health solutions and technologies to the Industry partners, to validate those solutions in our Living Labs, to promote the start-up of new ventures issued by UPM community and regional Health ecosystem, and to offer high quality and experienced educational programmes.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid) - UPM
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Technical University of Madrid) - UPM, Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 7, 28040 Madrid, España
Key Activities in Business Creation
Incubation, Technology Transfer, Business coaching, Testing & Validation
Key Activities in Education
Entrepreneurship training, Technical faculties, Healthcare professional education/training


CLC/InnoStars: Scandinavia
Partner classification: Business, Research
Partner type: Core Partner
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden is a network of research and technology organizations. In global cooperation with academia, enterprise and society, we create value, growth and competitiveness through research excellence and innovation.
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Mäster Samuelsgatan 60, 111 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Key Activities in Corporate Innovation
Pharma, Med Tech, ICT, Consumer products, Nutrition
Key Activities in Business Creation
Technology Transfer, Business coaching, Testing & Validation
Key Activities in Education
Entrepreneurship training

| Prof. Biomedical Engineering Health Area Director at LifeSTech | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
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